Village Voice - Winter 2023

VillageVoice

Winter 2023

Vol. 33, No. 1

Masonic Villages include locations in Dallas, Elizabethtown, Lafayette Hill, Sewickley and Warminster.

Published by Masonic Villages’ Public Relations Department

Masonic Village, One Masonic Drive Elizabethtown, PA 17022

717-367-1121, ext. 33383 or email pr@masonicvillages.org

Masonic Villages is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Decisions concerning admissions, the provision of services and referral of residents are not based upon race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age (where minimum age for admission is met), sex, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, limited English Proficiency (LEP) or any other protected status.

8

Welcome, NEW LEADERSHIP!

Upon the retirement of Rev. Preston Van Deursen, who served Masonic Village at Elizabethtown for 28 years, Rev. Deborah Valiton-Carnish has been promoted to director of spiritual care, effective Jan. 15. She brings over nine years of experience in pastoral and spiritual care at Masonic Village, where she has served as chaplain and spiritual care associate since 2013.

As director, Deborah will provide for the spiritual care and religious needs of the Masonic Village community. Her responsibilities include coordinating all aspects of worship, education and religious rituals as they pertain to the beliefs and values of the Masonic Village community, as well as performing as senior pastor of the Congregation of Sell Chapel and directing all that congregational life entails. She will provide pastoral counseling, companionship and spiritual awareness for residents, members of Sell Chapel and staff.

Deborah previously worked as the director of education for the Adult Center for Enrichment in Greensboro, North Carolina. In addition to being an ordained minister, she holds a Master of Divinity degree and two years of study as a clinical chaplain in a hospital setting.

Calvin Wingfield has been named director of dining services for Masonic Village at Lafayette Hill, effective Sept. 15, 2022.

As director, Calvin is responsible for the administration, planning, supervision and management of the dining services department. He oversees training, quality improvement and nutrition education programs.

Calvin, a Unidine Corporation employee, spent 28 years with Sodexo, another facilities and food management company, most recently as director of operations at Georgetown University Hospital.

He received his associate degree from Northeastern Christian Junior College in Villanova, Pennsylvania (since relocated to West Virginia). He also attended East Stroudsburg University.

MASONIC VILLAGE AT SEWICKLEY NAMED BEST OF THE BEST

Readers of TribLive (Allegheny North) voted Masonic Village at Sewickley among the 2022 Best of the Best in the Retirement Living, Personal Care and Nursing Home categories. This is the third year in a row Masonic Village has been recognized as a top provider in the Pittsburgh area. Thanks to all our staff who work together and provide award-winning care!

An Evergreen COMMITMENT

When your loved one is nearing end of life, you only want the small things:

To be together as a family.

To love and hold one another.

To have the privacy to laugh, cry or grieve together

Evergreen, a new neighborhood in the Masonic Health Care Center at the Masonic Village at Elizabethtown, allows these important things to be the focus for families.

Declining admissions due to the pandemic provided an opportunity to re-imagine how end-of-life services are provided in the Masonic Health Care Center, which offers nursing and memory support care.

Staff proposed a concept for an end-of-life area specifically designed for residents needing comfort care. The Ben Franklin 3 neighborhood was converted into the Evergreen neighborhood, providing personalized, convenient advanced care and monitoring.

“In this one area where we will have residents receiving endof-life care, we’ll have a collaboration between our team, our physician team and also Masonic Village Hospice or another hospice provider that is selected,” said Matt Mayo, assistant executive director/health care administrator. “This will allow the three teams to work together toward one goal.”

EVERGREEN INCLUDES:

• 16 private, spacious rooms featuring amenities for visiting family members, such as a pull-out couch, live plants, a television and a refrigerator. Each room has an Amazon Echo Show device donated by Amazon and set up by Aiva Health, which enables video calls, music options and messaging from staff

• Private rooms for families to grieve and meet with staff counselors

• A dining room for residents

• Multiple rooms for visitors and gatherings, including a living room, a screened-in patio, a library with resources and an office for working remotely

• A chapel for prayer and spiritual needs; residents from the Rooster Woodshop handcrafted an altar and lectern, and residents from the Piecemakers made a quilt to use for the Walk of Honor when a veteran passes away (see both items in photos on p. 5)

• A children’s space with toys, books and games

“As a medical provider, I find it’s very important to include families from the very beginning of the end-oflife journey,” Dr. Ann DeShong, medical director, said. “As part of that process, we’d like to create a space that is welcoming and open to the conversations we’ll be having during the moments that are challenging for families as they face this difficult time.”

The name Evergreen was selected for its significant Masonic connection.

“In every Masonic funeral, we hold up a sprig of evergreen and state, ‘This evergreen is a symbol of eternity and eternal life,’” Rev. Preston Van Deursen, now-retired director of spiritual care, said.

“I thought what a wonderful name to call an end-of-life care area that provides hope and a positive image of eternal life. This isn’t the end. It is only the next step.”

Opened in October, Evergreen was made possible thanks to generous donors. Thomas Shott made a gift in memory of his wife, Dolores, who was a patient in the hospice program when she passed away in 2018. Donors James and Virginia McCall contributed in memory of James’ mother, Julia McCall, and his niece, Jennifer McCall.

Masonic Village Hospice has been providing services to Masonic Village residents and individuals in residential homes, nursing homes, retirement communities and skilled facilities throughout Lancaster, Dauphin, Lebanon and Eastern York counties since 2009. Residents of Evergreen may utilize Masonic Village Hospice or the hospice provider of their choice.

If you would like to help patients and families create special and lasting memories in a comfortable, supportive, homelike environment, you may make a gift online by visiting masonicvillages.org/donate-now or filling out the enclosed business reply envelope. For more information on other ways to give, call 800-599-6454 or email giving@masonicvillages.org.

L-R: Matt Mayo, assistant executive director/health care administrator; donor Thomas Shott; R.W. Grand Master Jeffrey Wonderling; and donors Virginia and James McCall during the Evergreen ribbon cutting

Introducing Mary & Joseph

As emerging technology is utilized around the world to battle post-pandemic staffing shortages, Masonic Village at Elizabethtown is enlisting the help of some special dining service team members to ensure their staff is supported and available to do the jobs that really count.

Meet robots Mary and Joseph, dining services’ newest serving staff additions. The robots joined the team in October and December of last year and have been a hit with residents and staff since their arrival.

In response to the staffing shortages faced by the dining services department, assistant director Mike Alampi worked alongside other executive members to find ways to alleviate the strain on their limited staff.

“We saw robots in action at several other retirement living communities near Philadelphia,” Mike said. “We were further encouraged after speaking with the chefs, servers and residents in these communities about how their operations had improved despite hiring crises.”

What they came up with was Mary, officially “Matradee” per her manufacturer, nicknamed by administrative assistant Carron Wagner. Joseph, who arrived just in time for Christmas, seemed a natural counterpart and seasonal reference.

“We may rename them in the future, but for now it seems that the names Mary and Joseph have stuck,” Mike laughed.

The robots can be found working in the Restaurants at Grand Lodge Hall, where they perform basic tasks, primarily delivering food from the kitchen directly to the table.

From there, a server will remove the food from the tray and serve the resident, then send the robot back to the kitchen to pick up and deliver the next order.

“The robots save many trips back and forth to the kitchen looking for food that is ready to be served,” Mike said. “Now the servers only need to go to the kitchen for beverages and desserts, or to clear used dishes.”

As the staff gains experience utilizing the robots, Mary and Joseph will eventually be able to take the used dishes back to the kitchen on their own, freeing even more time for servers to spend with residents. The robots can also sing “Happy Birthday” or a Christmas carol if requested.

Resident Mary Jones (shown left with one of the robots), who is approaching the two-year anniversary of her move to Masonic Village, jokes that she is the namesake of the robot Mary.

“I think Lucy and Ricardo would be wonderful new names for the robots, but I really can’t think of a better name than my own,” she joked.

Mary recalled her first impression of the robots as they served her dinner in Grand Lodge.

The strong relationships between staff and residents were evident in the initial reservations some diners had about the robots taking jobs away from staff members. However, Mike insists this will never be the case, as Mary and Joseph are here to support the servers, making their loads lighter and residents’ experience more enjoyable.

“That face time between residents and staff is so necessary for the improvement of the high quality of life for residents at Masonic Village, and Mary and Joseph only add to that,” Mike said.

Mary echoed his praises of the new team members, which have now become familiar faces at mealtimes.

“They’re a neat and fun element of the dining experience on campus, plus I think they’re great conversation starters,” she said. “They ensure the wonderful staff here have time to interact with and provide assistance to residents, which is their most important job.”

In the future, other departments at Masonic Village could utilize similar technology to perform tasks like delivering medication or transporting cleaning supplies from one location to another, all with the goal of supporting staff and increasing resident quality of living.

By Natalie Torta, public relations associate

Mary and Joseph, who wear their own name tags alongside fellow staff members, have proved to be a great help to the serving staff in the restaurants, which has resulted in a better dining experience overall for residents.

“Within the course of just a few hours on the floor, the staff saw the benefits of the robots,” Mike said. “I know it sounds backwards, but having them here allows for a more personal dining experience between servers and residents. Mary and Joseph never call off and are always ready to serve the next meal on the docket.”

“I thought they were just adorable,” she laughed. “The food is hotter and comes out faster, plus the servers are able to spend more time with residents who might need some extra help at mealtimes.”

From Donut Dollie to DOCTOR

Dr. Rose Gantner had completed college and settled into a teaching career in her early 20s, when she was presented with an opportunity that would change her life in multiple ways.

Desiring to travel internationally and experience new things, as well as being inspired by her uncle’s military service and that of a childhood friend who was killed in action, Rose volunteered with the American Red Cross in Vietnam at age 22. Of the 627 women who served, she was one of only four to serve two tours, from 1966-1967 and 1969-1970.

“My wonderful and brave maternal uncle, M/Sgt. George Mamula, served in World War II and the Korean War,” Rose said. “He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his bravery and outstanding leadership. I and others in my family express much gratitude to him and others who gave so much to protect our freedom and liberty.”

The volunteers were called Donut Dollies, since during World War II and the Korean War, they served coffee and donuts, although Rose notes they didn’t have donuts in Vietnam. She recalls serving Kool-Aid, which everyone called “bug juice.”

Although no day was ever routine, Rose’s responsibilities included offering a one-hour break and morale builder for troops through recreational games and activities. If something unfortunate happened at the base, such as an attack or loss of life, the volunteers offered comfort, hope and gratitude. They also had an opportunity to visit the Montagnard villages and help residents with hygiene. After being in the field for 10 hours a day, the volunteers would visit wounded troops in the hospital and aid nurses and doctors. Rose made it a point to visit with those experiencing depression or other mental health issues.

“Now, we know they suffered from posttraumatic stress disorder,” she said. “This experience especially helped me to learn my passion and purpose in life.”

One of the fondest memories of her time in Vietnam was a very personal one. Her first cousin, Jules Bobik, was drafted into service and was stationed in Vietnam the same time as she, 400 to 500 miles apart. Rose asked a colonel, who was particularly appreciative of all her efforts, if he could do her a favor. She found Jules’ exact location and went to see him.

He was on a patrol boat in the bowels of a vessel along the Mekong Delta, and as he shared in his version of the story with Rose and her family, he was told to get to the deck.

“He asked, ‘What for? I didn’t volunteer!’” Rose recalls, “And he complained bitterly. They practically had to force him into the waiting chopper, while he was still bemoaning, ‘At least I should be able to make a phone call home!’

“Flying in the chopper, he was nervous and kept wiping sweat from his face with his hanky. The chopper pilot sat down in a clearing in the jungle and told Jules to get out. Again he proclaimed bitterly, ‘I didn’t volunteer!’

“Wondering if he was going to be used as human bait or an exchange prisoner, suddenly I appeared into the clearing and said, ‘Jules! I only wanted to see you!’”

After her first tour, Rose was asked to help recruit volunteers and spent time giving talks around Pittsburgh. During her second tour, she worked with other senior leaders on “big picture” planning, such as deciding which young leaders should be placed in what units and why, who should be promoted and matching their skill sets (writing, history, drama, teaching etc.) with their personalities.

“When you have many young leaders sharing the same mission and passion, but small physical space with some rough conditions, it behooves one to think carefully of the personnel and placement,” Rose said. “It was a joy to have

the opportunity to work with high level military personnel as well regarding program selections, logistics and more.”

She admired one of her direct bosses in particular, who had her master’s in business administration.

“She taught me not to be afraid of anything, to take risks and go for it,” Rose said. “She told me to believe in what you believe in, to stick up for your character and others’ and to help people get to higher positions.”

All these experiences led Rose to transition from a teaching career to earning her doctorate in counseling psychology. She served as CEO for two hospitals, and as vice president of a managed care company and directed her own counseling and psychology practice. She also worked as a health management consultant to state government agencies, private organizations and commercial groups. Most important, she personally provided pro bono treatment to soldiers and their families with post-traumatic stress disorder for over 15 years through her Center for Life Coping Skills in Georgia.

In addition to shaping her career, the experience positively impacted Rose’s entire outlook on life.

“I learned early that social economic status doesn’t matter,” she said. “What does is kindness, teamwork and leadership.”

Rose has shared her experience as a volunteer with residents and will continue to tell the stories of the Donut Dollies and their impact on war efforts, as well as the life lessons the role imparted.

she said. “If you really want to do something, do it. Have no regrets. Leave the earth a little better, and try to be a kind and caring person throughout.”

After her retirement, Rose had the chance to take her two sisters, Mim and Alexandra, for a tour of Vietnam, Singapore and Hong Kong to see some of the areas where she served. Their fondest memory was in Da Nang, where a child was selling wooden whistles, and they gave him a dollar. The next thing they knew, 75 more kids and their mothers showed up selling items.

In recent years, the Heinz History Center displayed an exhibit about the Vietnam War, which included highlights of the Donut Dollies. When Rose, her sisters and others visited the exhibit, they were surprised to see several photos of Rose in her uniform shown larger than life. A trunk of hers (shown above), containing military uniforms, boots, combat and training materials and other memorabilia, was also displayed and has since been shared through the Smithsonian Museum across the country. Rose had almost forgotten about the trunk until her sister, Mim Bizic, uncovered it in her garage during a move a few years ago.

Rose also attended presentations and coordinated a reunion of Red Cross volunteers with Todd DePastino, author, history professor and founding director of the Veterans Breakfast Club. She has been welcomed with open arms to all veterans’ gatherings.

Upon the encouragement of her sister, Mim, and being from Pittsburgh originally, Rose moved to the Masonic Village at Sewickley in 2021. It’s a great place for her to keep active physically and mentally, while also maintaining harmony and balance in her life –something traveling to Asia inspired in her. She teaches Mahjong and volunteers on several committees.

“All those who served, we all hope there is peace,” Rose said.

“People call me a giraffe,” she said, “because I’m willing to stick my neck out for others to help them.”

“The main thing I want to do is to let young people know that life is short,”

Caring COMPANIONS

Furry, feathered, gilled and scaly, animals play an important role in happiness and fulfillment. Their quiet companionship and loyal love make them the perfect roommate or visitor. Masonic Villages offers many opportunities for residents to engage with pets, whether their own or ones paying a visit. For those who lived or worked with animals their entire lives, the chance to share this affinity with others is a welcome benefit of life at Masonic Villages.

For Love & Lilie:

ENJOYING RETIREMENT

ALONGSIDE A FURRY FRIEND

For Masonic Village at Sewickley resident Jack Philips, pets are part of the family. The bond he shares with his 6-year-old bichon, Lilie, goes to show that our furry friends can be a source of companionship and comfort, especially in challenging times.

“I’ve been a dog person pretty much all my life,” Jack laughed.

Over the past 35 years, he and his late wife, Phyllis, had welcomed three bichons into their family, each of which hold a special place in his heart.

Lilie’s friendly and upbeat demeanor is unique from previous family pets, however. Despite her petite stature, her personality certainly packs a punch.

Despite Jack’s praises of his beloved Lilie, he is quick to add she is not without her challenges.

“She has a squeaker toy shaped like a hedgehog that she finds first thing every morning, and she insists on playing fetch with it until my arm gets tire. That’s when the barking starts,” Jack lamented. “Of course, I wouldn’t trade her for anything, but she’s definitely a character.”

Jack also highlighted the responsibilities of owning a pet, which he described as taxing, but more than worth the effort.

“I don’t feel like I have total freedom to participate in all the amenities on campus since I have Lilie to consider,” Jack explained. “I will say, though, Lilie is the first dog I’ve had who I can tell to take a nap while I’m out, and she does it happily,” he said.

Despite her quirks, it’s clear that Jack’s fondness for Lilie is unconditional. He remembers the day he and Phyllis adopted her.

“She was so small, you could hold her in your hand,” Jack recalled. “She was the only one in her litter who survived, so we were very fortunate to get her.”

“I might be biased, but I think she’s a wonderful dog,” Jack said. “It doesn’t matter what room I’m in, she’s always right next to me. She just loves being around people.”

Lilie has become more of a friend to Jack than a pet, especially following Phyllis’ passing in November 2021.

Jack knew it was time to make a move from the home they had shared in Point Breeze, Pennsylvania. After touring a number of senior living facilities in the Pittsburgh area, Jack found Masonic Village at Sewickley was a step above the rest.

“The campus was absolutely beautiful,” he said. “It was like driving onto a small college campus – lots of green space, beautiful buildings. It’s a lovely place.”

Jack also appreciated how pet-friendly the campus felt, since Lilie would make the move with him and would need amenities of her own in order to feel at home.

On top of that, the location nearby his two sons in Franklin and Cranberry was “the icing on the cake” for Jack. Since his official move-in last June, Masonic Village at Sewickley has proven to be the perfect home not only for Jack, but for Lilie, as well. She even joined Jack in his photo for the resident directory!

“My apartment is perfectly suited for Lilie and me,” he said. “It’s on the ground floor with sliding glass doors out to the patio, plus it has a spacious kitchen.”

Jack can attest to Lilie’s quick learning of their new environment and daily routine, which involves a 5 a.m. wake-up, several walks throughout the day and occasional trips around campus and the community.

Her frequent outings not only keep Jack active, but they’ve also made her somewhat of a celebrity on campus.

“Lilie has this ability to befriend anyone we see on our walks,” he said. “A lot more people know Lilie’s name than know mine, and that’s perfectly fine with me,” he laughed.

Residents always stop to chat with Jack and Lilie when they’re out and about, even giving Lilie snacks and singing songs to her.

“You’ll find that you really get to know the pets as much as, if not more than, the owners,” Jack said.

Even so, Jack enjoys just being known as “the guy with the little white dog” if it means that Lilie brings as much joy to other residents as she does to him.

“A lot of people are in a situation where they’ve lost somebody, and a pet can be a real friend,” he explained. “For me, I think I’m a bit introverted, so I’d be very lonely if I didn’t have Lilie. I couldn’t ask for more.”

It’s clear that Jack and Lilie have an unbreakable bond, which extends to everyone they meet. With Lilie, Jack found a loyal friend and lifelong companion.

By Natalie Torta, public relations associate

“As great as Masonic Village is on its own, I would be lost without her,” Jack said. “She really is my best friend.”

L-R: Sam McClinchie, Jack, Rich Rush and Donald Kemerer with their dogs

To provide 9-10 programs a year to all areas of campus

To offer socialization among pet owners

To implement the Canine Good Neighbor program, in which dogs and their owners pass a series of tests, including: accepting a friendly stranger, walking through a crowd and reaction to a distraction, such as a wheelchair, cane or walker.

To aid pet owners with pet problems

To aid residents looking for a pet

To provide a list of competent pet care professionals (veterinarians, pet supply stores, groomers, etc.)

To provide assistance to pet owners who need interim pet care

A PLACE for PET LOVERS

Before moving to Masonic Village at Elizabethtown, Jean Tebay asked if there was a dog club on campus. When she learned there wasn’t one, she told sales staff, “If we come here, there will be one.”

She moved to Masonic Village at Elizabethtown in September 2016, and four months later, the Dog Club held its first meeting in January 2017. It was a chance for owners and their dogs to get to know each other. At the next meeting, a veterinarian talked about flea and tick treatment.

Jean has decades of experience launching and coordinating programs involving animals, dating back to the 1960s, when she was one of the pioneers of therapeutic horse riding in the United States. She worked with veterans and children with physical and intellectual disabilities.

As the Dog Club grew, and now includes more than 80 people on its email list, Jean has been asked why the club only covers dogs and not other pets. Seeing no reason it couldn’t be all inclusive, the Dog Club was renamed the Pet Club to be more encompassing.

The Pet Club includes regular meet-ups, where attendees can interact with one another, enjoy a presentation from a local animal enthusiast or enhance their knowledge with an educational program.

At a third meeting, Cindy Rose, a humanities, arts and film professor at Harrisburg Area Community College, discussed Royals and their pets, which was well-received. Cindy has returned several times to lead programs.

Programs over the last few years include a visit from a local pet store owner who brought a bird, small amphibians, hamsters and fish. He’ll be returning in 2023 with a giant tortoise and a potbellied pig. The club meets twice a year for take-your-dog to lunch at a local café. In November, residents Carole and Mike Artim gave an agility demonstration (read more about Carole’s experience on pp. 20-21). This year’s events include an art project using animal pawprints and a talk on rare dog breeds.

“That one featured too much information,” Jean recalls. “It was trial by error at first. I learned people want to be entertained as well as educated.”

Ken and Janice Lutz take part in “Photos

with a Pet”

“I

energy from our staff,” Jean said. “Without this support, we wouldn’t be successful.”

With an estimated 125 dogs across the Masonic Village campus, naturally, some are better behaved than others. If someone needs assistance with their dog, club members can offer assistance or help find a professional trainer, if needed.

“At Masonic Village, we love and help each other,” Jean said. “In the end, our residents will be happier with their dogs.”

Jean has also arranged pet visits at the Bleiler Caring Cottage, and whenever possible, schedules programs for retirement living residents and those in the Masonic Health Care Center and Freemasons personal care residence.

She vets all activities and speakers to ensure safety and appropriateness. All guests need to have insurance. Anyone providing pet visitations needs to have their pets vaccinated and socialized and demonstrate they’re well-mannered.

Jean’s dog, Clemmie (shown in top left photo with Scott Davison from the Bleiler Caring Cottage), passed away in June. She will take her time finding a new one, and in

the meantime, memories of Clemmie live on with many who encountered her on walks and during the Pet Club’s “Photos with a Pet” held for Christmas and Valentine’s Day (see bottom left photo above). Resident Mick McCurdy volunteers to take photos during these events (and many other resident events), which will be held again in 2023, and participants receive a copy of the photo for a nominal cost.

“My joy is seeing residents’ joy,” Jean said. “Whether it’s watching someone pick up a lizard and talk to it or bringing a dog to visit residents in the health care center, I love what I do.”

Anyone can participate in the club’s events. There is no membership fee. Donations may be collected to give to presenters.

make a connection with animals they don’t make with humans,” Jean said. “If it’s done right, it’s the perfect relationship.”

couldn’t do it without the support and

“People

Take-Your-Dog to Lunch

AWay with Animals

Christine Mills never met an animal she didn’t like, so she feels right at home at Masonic Village at Warminster. Every day, she tends to the village’s two birds and cares for the goldfish that swim in a large fish tank. During the spring and summer months, she feeds the koi fish in the outdoor pond.

“Right now, I’m training the birds to say, ‘hello,’ and to get on my finger, since they’ve never really been handled before,” she said.

“When I clean the cages, I take the birds into the chapel where they hang out and wait. Their wings are clipped, so they can’t fly away.”

Christine has always had an interest in animals and owned cats for several years. She began learning about birds as a wildlife rehabilitation technician for 16 years at the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education in Philadelphia. She spent four to five additional years at other wildlife centers after the main center closed.

“We took orphaned or injured native wildlife and did what was needed to make them healthy and heal their bones,” she said. “Then we let them back into the wild.”

Christine specialized in rabies vector species (RVS), or wildlife species that had been identified as the most common carriers of the rabies virus, including raccoons, skunks, bats, woodchucks, groundhogs and foxes. Christine received shots so she wouldn’t contract rabies while handling the animals, or if she did, she would not become deathly ill.

Most of Christine’s experience came from onthe-job training, reading, taking rehabilitation classes and attending conventions.

“I never went for a rehabilitation license,” she said. “I was happier being one of the senior volunteers. You need a certain number of years of volunteer work. You work your way up to bigger and larger projects and animals. It takes time.”

When she was working professionally, Christine spent her days as a software engineer. She’s a trained scuba diver as well. For many years, she enjoyed underwater photography and taking photos of fish and coral reefs.

Christine calls herself a “doer,” who learns by seeing, watching, listening, reading and “common sense.” There is always more to learn about animals.

Recently, Christine looked after recreation coordinator Trisha Lamb’s personal canary while she was on vacation. “Canaries don’t talk, but they do sing,” she said. “This one hasn’t yet. He was getting used to me watching him first.”

Masonic Village at Warminster has its own pet therapy policy, through which approved animals visit regularly. Families are also allowed to bring their pets in to visit loved ones, as long as their registration/vaccination status is updated.

As a certified Eden Alternative® community, Masonic Village at Warminster strives to promote active and caring environments which encourage self-worth, camaraderie and excitement for residents and employees. Visiting pets align with this philosophy by bringing variety and spontaneity into daily life. Children and volunteers also visit regularly, giving residents the opportunity to build meaningful relationships.

“We allow dogs and cats, but so far, no other exotic animals have come to visit us,” Trisha said. “A few months ago, we had miniature ponies visit, and more recently, the Elmwood Park Zoo brought over some critters. Our human resources manager brought her dog, Stella, throughout the pandemic since we were shut down to outside visitors. She is well loved here.”

Animals are a part of many residents’ lives, past and present. For Christine, caring for the pets at Masonic Village is a continuation of a lifelong passion, giving her purpose while bringing happiness to residents and staff.

“You have to care about them and have respect for them,” she said. “If you don’t have that, forget about anything else. You also need to be educated. Don’t believe everything you read on the internet. Read books instead.”

CANINE Comfort

He may not be a resident, but Grady the great Dane has become an integral part of the Masonic Village at Lafayette Hill community.

At 185 pounds, he definitely makes his presence known. Residents stop to stare at the gentle giant or pet him when he roams the hallways alongside his owner, Rich Campbell, son of resident Ed Campbell.

“I bring him by once a week to visit with my dad,” Rich said. “You can see the smile on everyone’s face when he comes by. People see his size and can’t believe how big he is, but if a two-pound Yorkie barks at him, he runs and hides. He’s such a sweetheart.”

Prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rich would bring Grady to the front lobby so he could visit with the residents. He sees fewer people now, but he’s still good for morale, Ed said. “He cheers people up. The dog has nothing but love in his heart. He loves to cuddle with people.”

Rich, who lives in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, grew up around dogs and always rescued golden retrievers. He and his partner Nicole, however, fell in love with Grady, who was only a baby when they got him a little over three years ago.

“We still want another dog, but we don’t have room right now,” Rich said. “You need a big car. We have a truck so Grady can sit in the back seat. He gets excited when he comes here [to Masonic Village]. He knows where he is going.”

Ed definitely wouldn’t mind if his son got another dog. He enjoys spending quality time with both Rich and Grady.

Resident Angie Myshko (shown above with Grady and Ed ), Ed’s neighbor, said she and another resident like to call themselves “Grady’s Groupies,” or his cheerleaders.

“I have more photos of Grady in my apartment than I do of my own kids,” Angie said. “Grady is so gentle and loveable, and he sits on my lap. He’s bigger than me. I fell in love with him when he was a baby. I sat on the floor and played with him, and we’ve been friends ever since.”

“I’ve always loved dogs,” he said. “I can’t have my own dog now because I have difficulty walking. [Seeing Grady] brightens my day like you can’t even imagine.”

Masonic Village at Lafayette Hill allows residents in retirement living and personal care to bring in small pets – dogs, cats and birds, mainly – upon admission. Ed, who serves on the Retirement Living Residents’ Association, has lived at Masonic Village for almost four years and said coming here was “the best decision I made in a long time.”

“The people and the staff are great,” he said. “Everyone in the dining room is terrific. I go there every night for dinner. I’ve made a lot of friends here. I like that it’s a big family. My family doesn’t have to take care of me. Everything is done for me here.”

Resident Ellen Scarcelle (top right) has always been an animal lover. She was never allowed pets growing up, so as soon as she was on her own, she surrounded herself with dogs, cats and birds, too.

She owned a Westiepoo named Lola who died in 2019, 10 days after her husband passed. When her daughter, who owned two dogs, decided to separate them because they were not compatible, Ellen agreed to take one of them. She has had the dog, Parker, for seven years now. He’s a 10-year-old yellow lab mix.

She moved with Parker to Masonic Village in June 2020 and has enjoyed the people she’s met, including other pet lovers.

“Having my dog here, there is a comfort level,” she said. “He’s a piece of home, someone to talk to. It sounds strange, but sometimes just petting him releases stress for me. He is my baby.”

Parker came from a pound in Georgia and is an anxious dog, but for the most part gets along well with other dogs, Ellen said. He has a “special friend” in his hallway, resident Catherine Cotter, who feeds him dog biscuits. She has no pets but keeps the biscuits for when her son and his dog come to visit.

Dog lovers at Masonic Village at Lafayette Hill enjoy access to a small dog park on campus, where they and their canines can bond with others. Paws of the Spirit, which provides comprehensive animal-assisted therapy for older adults, regularly brings rabbits and guinea pigs to visit.

Big or small, animals leave a huge pawprint on residents’ hearts.

“Parker gives me companionship, love and a sense of someone else being there,” Ellen said. “You’re not alone if you have an animal with you.”

DOG TRAINING The Art & Science of

“I loved being a judge,” Carole said. “I observed other judges and talked to them about judging. I wanted to understand what different people looked for. It takes a while to find a happy medium. I exhibited at or judged many weekends a year. I was told I was a consistent and fair judge, and the exhibitors felt relaxed around me.”

At one point, Carole read all the books about dogs in her local library. She and her husband, Mike, especially, were interested in the psychological issues behind a dog’s behavior and learning how special training can desensitize them to things, such as loud noises. She also studied the work of Dr. Ian Dunbar, who emphasized a dog has to enjoy being trained or it won’t be effective and that it’s important to re-direct or ignore negative behavior, while more frequently reinforcing positive behavior. As Carole’s skills grew, she pieced together different methods of training to find the best results for each dog.

Carole Artim has spent decades training for, competing in and judging dog agility. Her dogs earned many recognitions, but the most rewarding part for her was always when her efforts made a difference in someone else’s life.

It all started when Carole moved out on her own in the 1970s. She wanted a dog and got a German shepherd puppy. She was familiar with the

American Kennel Club (AKC) and its obedience and tracking courses. (Tracking is a dog’s natural ability to recognize and follow a scent.) Her first dog completed the training and competed in AKC trials, earning several titles. After helping her local club for several years during competitions, she applied to be an AKC tracking judge and later, an obedience and rally judge.

“It has to be rewarding for the dog,” Carole said. “Sometimes you have to let the dog figure it out and reward it along the way. We had a rottweiler that we couldn’t motivate to do anything he didn’t want to. It was my job, using positive motivation, to convince him he wanted to do it.”

Agility training includes tunnels, jumps, teeter stand and more. To help dogs overcome fears, such as falling off a teeter board, Carole breaks it down into smaller steps. As first, the teeter board is barely off the ground. As the dog becomes comfortable, the board is raised higher. This builds a foundation for the dog to feel safe. As trainer and dog become a team, the training becomes easier.

Mike and Carole rescued and helped re-home many dogs. Mike’s first dog was asked not to return to a training class because the dog was “untrainable.” That motivated Mike to determine how to help other “obedience class dropouts,” and focus on addressing their needs.

“Dogs will learn whether you provide input or not,” Carole said. “Like children, dog training is always a work in progress. As your dog becomes more confident with simple foundation work, you provide additional building blocks for more complex exercises. Each individual personality must be considered for that team and the process and modified as needed to have success.

“Our puppy training starts with manners versus commands. It is better to praise and reward what they do right, than only give negative attention when you are not happy with them. Some behaviors should be automatic, for example, jumping up on people. We often hear, ‘but he gets off when I tell him,’ but the dog should not be up on you to begin with. As the dog becomes an adult with manners, then you can introduce gray areas and invite the dog up at certain times. Techniques we use allow even a 5-year-old to be successful teaching manners to a dog.”

In addition to training her own dogs, she and Mike led puppy training classes and trained dogs to become service dogs. Few of the puppies they trained needed to come back for additional training. It was rewarding to ensure a dog wouldn’t be given up because of behavior issues.

Mike worked with the Sertoma Club to train dogs to assist individuals with hearing loss and other disabilities. One man they provided a dog to was in his 40s, and his mother went everywhere with him for safety reasons. After

he received his dog, he was able to travel across the country by himself.

Carole describes her current dog, Watson (shown left with Carole), as a clumber spaniel that looks like “a cocker spaniel swallowed a rottweiler — a big dog on short legs.” He is not the fastest dog she has worked with, but he performs well in competition. At an agility event needed for Watson to qualify for the AKC Agility Invitational in 2020, Carole heard the first jump bar bang as they went through the course. She and Watson kept going, despite thinking they were out of the competition, only to realize at the end that the bar landed right back in its place, and they qualified.

“It doesn’t matter if I qualify,” Carole said of competing. “On any given day, it’s about learning how to be a team. You build confidence in each other. Sometimes things go awry, and it’s not the dog’s fault. I ask myself what I did wrong. But, I do really like qualifying.”

Carole also has Gizmo (shown below), a 3-year-old Barbet (French water dog), who she got at the onset of COVID-19. He missed some early socialization and needs more training before he competes.

In 2021, Carole and Mike moved to Masonic Village at Elizabethtown, where she found herself in good company among many other dog owners. She, Mike and Watson gave a demonstration for residents on a canine agility course in November, and it was well received. Carole has retired from judging since it requires a lot of travel over weekends, but she still attends competitions.

“I can’t imagine my life without a dog,” she said. “You can learn a lot by working with a dog. Impacting other people’s lives and saving dogs a good home have been the most rewarding aspects.”

Growing Connections OFF AND ONLINE

Since the launch of Village Connect in 2016, the online portal which includes dining menus, directories, events, maintenance work order forms, news and games, as well as access to smart home features, has seen increased usage and conveniences. A group of residents at Masonic Village at Elizabethtown are working with staff to ensure everyone is connected and benefiting from the advances in technology.

The resident technology council includes 13 residents and meets with Mark Eyer, resident technology coordinator; Megan Caldwell, innovation project director; and Joe Franco, chief information officer, to share ideas and feedback.

“One goal is to provide a communication channel between residents and the staff technology providers,” resident Bill Decker said. “A second goal is to facilitate the flow of technology know-how among those residents with experience using tech gadgets to residents who want to learn more. Not all residents have a visiting teenage nephew or granddaughter to help them learn.”

Resident Bonnie Motsay views it as a personal mission to see more residents using Village Connect to make their lives easier and safer.

“Technology affects the lives of folks and changes their way of learning, thinking and communicating,” she said. “For me, it’s very tough to imagine life without technology.”

The group sent a survey to residents to learn what devices they have and what support they need.

As a result of the survey, she, along with other residents, have spearheaded monthly drop-in sessions with Sandi Hathaway providing brief educational “Technology Tidbits” and to answer residents’ questions about specific technology, whether it’s their computer or cell phone. The sessions last upwards of two hours to ensure everyone’s questions are answered.

“Learning about new ways of doing things is sometimes difficult,” Bill said. “Seniors should be encouraged to become familiar with new technologies and to seek ways in which they can benefit from them.”

Mark recently transferred to his role after serving as director of retirement living for 17 years, and he’s excited for the new possibilities technology holds for residents. He’d like to expand the use of smart home features, such as residents adjusting their thermostats or lights from their phones.

“It’s important for people to be able to live comfortably in their homes,” Mark said. “These features have real benefits for people, especially those with arthritis or vision, hearing or mobility impairments.”

Residents will soon be able to sign up for monthly trips and programs through Village Connect (the option to call in reservations will still be available). Mark is hosting monthly Village Connect sessions to help residents understand the portal’s benefits and know where to find information easily.

Future expansion of the portal also includes more forms residents can submit, such as vacation notices, airport drop off/pickup requests or take-out orders, so all staff who need the information can receive it at one time, saving time and paperwork.

help each other.”

“We wanted to have the residents involved from the get-go to establish resident commitment to our program and the use of technology,” Bonnie said.

“[Masonic Village] and the residents can work together to bring the most effective technology here,” Bill said. “Technology can benefit the community by supporting those with challenges, but it can also draw us together as we learn how to most effectively use technology to communicate and

NEW LEGISLATION ALLOWS Funding an Annuity with Your IRA

By Alvin Blitz, Esq., Chief Mission Advancement and Development Officer

Gift planners like me were caught off guard in December by a provision for IRA owners left in the 2022 Omnibus Bill. Effective Jan. 1, 2023, if you own a traditional IRA and are 70 ½ or older, you can take a one-time withdrawal of up to $50,000 to fund a charitable gift annuity (CGA) with your favorite charity (this is also available for funding a charitable remainder trust, but the amount is so small, I doubt you will see these types of transactions) for you or you and your spouse. WOW! That’s a generous gift for IRA owners AND your favorite charity (which I hope is the Masonic Charities). Let’s see how it works.

John is age 78, and his wife, Jill, is age 77. John has an IRA worth $500,000 and has a required minimum distribution (RMD) for 2023 of $10,000. In the past, John could direct that $10,000 to Masonic Charities as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) and not pay taxes on the distribution. John can still do that in 2023, but now, he has another choice with his IRA. He can now give that $10,000 RMD and up to $40,000 more from his IRA TAX-FREE to fund a CGA.

The annuity rate is 6.1% based on his and Jill’s ages (it would be 7.2% if he just did the annuity for himself). That means they would get $3,050 per year for a $50,000 annuity until the death of the surviving spouse, at which time the remaining funds in the annuity would go to the Masonic Charities. The annuity distributions would be fully taxable when received each year, since John never paid taxes on the money used to fund the annuity. Still, this is a sweet deal for John and Jill and the Masonic Charities.

If you are interested in finding out what your personal rate is to fund such an annuity from your IRA, please fill out the enclosed business reply envelope, email giving@masonicvillages.org or call my office at 1-800-599-6454 and say, “I want a personal illustration for an annuity funded with my IRA.” We will get back to you and go over the particulars for setting up the annuity.

Learn more advice for estate planning by visiting masoniccharitieslegacy.org.

Thanks to Our Donors

Memorial Gifts

The following memorial gifts were made Sept. 1 - Oct. 31, 2022. Below is a list of individuals (names shown in blue) whose loved ones have made a gift in their memory to one of the five Masonic Villages. We have taken great care to ensure the accuracy and thoroughness of the names listed below. If an error has been made, please call the Office of Mission Advancement and Development at 1-800-599-6454 or 717-367-1121, ext. 33434; or email giving@masonicvillages.org. Thank you.

John T. Adkinson

John and Jean Albright

Beverly A. Baker

William D. Baker, Sr.

Robert Balogh

Cheryl Adkinson

Robert Fulton

George Baker, Jr.

Jane Baker

Jerry and Susan Butts

Irene Goebel

Eric Michael

Lee Baron Hackenburg-Mt. Moriah Lodge No. 019

Leicester K. Barry, Jr.

Carl R. Beidleman

James and Sharyl Giel, Jr.

Kenneth and Elaine Bleiler

C. F. Martin & Co., Inc

Susan Eckert

Helen Heidelbaugh

Bryan and Eileen Hill

Richard and JoAnn Keller

Prudence Mann

Reynold and Rita Martin

Ingrid Prater

Molly Rowen

Robert and Judy Scharf

Phyllis Stevens

Rev. A. Preston and Brenda Van Deursen

Whitey and Arlene Von Nieda

Arthur and Dorothy Wert

Ann Wildasin

Howard A. Beiseigel

Ray Beyers

Nancy Biehl

Kay B. Bigley

John Beiseigel

Nora Beyers

W. Clark Biehl

Camilla Anderson

Carol Filburn

Helen Heidelbaugh

Bryan and Eileen Hill

Robert and Susan Moyer

Amy Rose

William and Nancy Schreffler

Walter Service III

Diane Snyder

Bill and Beverly Sterrett

Larry and Carol Wolford

Barbara Wood

Sharon Blough

Daniel Boehme

James E. Bohr

John W. Bower

Geraldine Vaughan

Evelyn L. Briel

Audrey Mann

Isaac Boehme

Peter and Darlee Bohr, Sr.

John and Joan Lee

Raymond Vaughan

Thomas and Claudia Stephens, Jr.

Irene VanTassel

Carlton Brown Rick and Cindy Bielski

Olin and Gladys Brubaker

Edward Budman

Charles and Vera Burkholder

Charles S. Canning

Karl Buus

Oscar and Angila Smith IV

Vincent and Anita Celline, Jr.

Marianne Canning

George J. Carroll Houseman Lodge No. 211

Edward Carty K. Ruth Carty

John Carville Michele Carville

Shake Chilingerian

Joyce P. Clopper

Arthur and Peter Conforti

Jeffrey W. Coy

Kenneth and Astrid Jingozian

Norman Clopper

William Conforti

Jo Anne Coy

Harry Cromis Richard and Alice Temple

Idris Davies Noel Laubenstine

Jason L. Dean Richard L. Dean

James DeBaun

Jay Phillippe

Chester A. Derk, Sr. and Marian E. Derk Chester and Barbara Derk, Jr.

Ord Luther Dixon

Henry C. Dobbs

Jim Donnon

Rena Dressler

Walter F. Dyer

Jack Edmondson

Anna Mae Eiceman

Donald “Don” Engle

Jean Dixon

Henry Dobbs, Jr.

John and Joan Groves

Dale Dressler

George Ullrich

Rachelle and David Bimler

Berle Eiceman

Richard Bigley

Kenneth and Elaine Bleiler

Patricia Edge

Helen Heidelbaugh

Bryan and Eileen Hill

Barbara Rupley

Rev. A. Preston and Brenda Van Deursen

Larry and Carol Wolford

Lillian Steiner Epstein

James “Jay” Ernette

Michael Beidleman

Brenda Ernette

Jimmie and Lorene Erwin Jimmie and Barbara Erwin

Blanche Fenner

Connie Verdelli

Pierino J. Ferrara, Jr. Houseman Lodge No. 211

Robert D. Fighera David and Lynne Goldberg

Barbara Fine Richard Fine

Herman Fineberg Max and Sylvia Rabinovitz

Thomas Fleming Norman and Deborah Meanor

Alice Freeland

William Evelyn

Charles G. Frishmuth Ronald and Katherine Frishmuth

Mary C. Garrison

David Rosensteel

Russel B. and Mary E. Gehris Paul and Katherine Gehris

H. Eugene Geib Travis Finkenbinder

William Gibson, Sr. David Marks

Elizabeth Goettle

Sam Goldstein

William and Marjorie Goettle

Philip Goldstein

Martin and Doris Gotsch D. Jane and Joseph Bruton

Jessie Griffiths Lewis Griffiths

James L. Grimm Margaret Grimm

Carl S. Hackman, Sr.

Paulette Bledsoe

Timothy Peters

William and Kathy Prazenica Warfel Construction Company

Nancy Webster

Ruth M. Hagan

Robert R. Hagerich

Joan H. Hall

Joseph and Joyce Hagan, Sr.

R. Scott and Diane Hagerich

William Hall

Harry F. Hanczar, Sr. Houseman Lodge No. 211

Jane Harner Ann Harris

Elinor Mae Hoban Harrin

Dorthea Flannery

Dolores Herr

Joe Hoban

Marilyn Hoban

Angela Hobin-Walters

Sarah Jones

Edgar and Mary Langdon

Mark and Anissa Lo Sasso

William McMahon

James Newman

Barb and Al Rubin

The Sherman Engineering Company

Mary Setton Smart

Carol Spence

Jeanne Stolar

The Weaver Family

Shillen P. Heim

Grace Hepford

Clifford and Barbara Heim

Kenneth and Elaine Bleiler

Betty Deibert

Donna Heiser

Shaunastar and Timothy Hyle

Henry P. Heppard Houseman Lodge No. 211

Sidney Hersh

Sylvia Hersh

Robert J. Hirsch

Gail I. Hoch

William Hornberger

Kenton E. Hull

Rudolph Hummel

Joel Hersh and Cynthia Tyger

Joel Hersh and Cynthia Tyger

Matthew Tyler Langer Hirsch

Robert Hoch

John and Cynthia Hornberger

June Hull

Joan Hummel

David “Dave” and Alicia “Lee” Hunsberger Marc and Karen Hunsberger

James and Becky Lafreeda

Timothy and Fay Pletcher

Richard Alan Heath

Palestine-Roxborough Lodge No. 135

Hackenburg-Mt. Moriah Lodge No. 019

Craig and Cynthia Wilson

Robert G. Hunter

Rose Jingozian

Jeffrey and Mary James

Kenneth and Astrid Jingozian

Barbara Jordan James Jordan, Jr.

Wilbert G. Kane Houseman Lodge No. 211

Pamela M. Kautz

John R. Kautz

Malvern C. “Mac” Keifer, Sr. Mary Lou Keifer

Adrienne J. Keiser

Gerald E. “Jerry” Kemmerer

Larry Keiser

Larry and Judy Balthaser

Pete and Patty Betz

John and Joy Betz

Kenneth and Elaine Bleiler

Dotty Boucher

Carol Brandt

Karen Carson

Robert Carthew

Karen Casell

Jeff and Kim Cook

Margaret Coughlin

Charles and Carol Curry

James and Penny Daly

Alan and Marilyn Davies

Jo and David Davis

Betty Deibert

Easton Suburban Water Authority

S. Kendrick Eshleman III

Shirley Forney

Brenda Gabel

Jean Gies

Vicki Gillmore

Jay and Terry Golden

Virginia Haddad

Gerald E. “Jerry” Kemmerer David and Nancy Halliwell

William and Carol Hawthorne

Bryan and Eileen Hill

Bruce and Ethel Joan Howarth

Jeff and Mary James

Roland and Dorothy Joseph

Steven Josephs

Patricia Kemmerer

Sally Kinzey

James and Kathleen LaMar

Joan Lederer

Doris Longenecker

Donald and Patricia March

Deanne Molinari

John and Margaret Oehmke

Helen O’Hara

Barbara Osterheldt

Bill and Nancy Pearson

Grace Pricipato

Dorothy Remaly

Don and Shelley Remaly

Joan Sandberg

David Slick

Jeanne Solomon

Alta Sowers

Clinton Spiegel

Robert Sulton and Linda Derenzis-Sutton

Marion Stout

Norm Trapp

Rev. A. Preston and Brenda Van Deursen

Whitey and Arlene Von Nieda

Nancy Webster

Robert Wetzel

B. Frank and Mildred Kensinger Benjamin and Jean Kensinger, Jr.

Ruth R. Kersteen

John and Agnes Kesselring

Claire Kestler

Patricia Kilkenny

Anne M. Kinkle

Donald Kinsley

Francis and Thelma Kinter

Earl M. Kline

Mae Kline

Albert and Mary Kling

Donald Kugle

Harold Kersteen

James and Paula Dougherty

Beverly Schweitzer

Catherine McKinney

Anne Davis

James and Donna Kinsley

Robert and Kimberly Rose

Eugene and Anna Kline

Eugene and Anna Kline

Albert Kling

Dean and Brenda Miller

Jack Lebeau Hackenburg-Mt. Moriah Lodge No. 019

Charles and Rita Ledig

Alan Ledig

Frank Lerman

Steven Lerman

Ben Levinson Harris and Cheryl Brooks

Kurt Linhart Matt and Sherri Stauffer

Dominick Lizzi David and Alda Lizzi, Sr.

Faye Lokey John Lokey

George and Anna Margaret Lubic Jill Swartz

John T. Lutz

Mahlon and Christine Fuller

Mr. and Mrs. Ray H. Madenford Douglas Madenford

Rita M. (Laubach) Maiden Richard and Mary Jo Dipiero

David and Molly Harty

Norristown Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

Carolyn Ruffing

Vince and Sharon Schaeffer

Marie Nichols and Mike Stangissi

Peter Terreri

Dick Mann

Audrey Mann

Althea Martin Paul and Shirley Weaver

Robert Matthews Raymond and Patricia Lee Horn

Ruth McCurdy

Clair McCurdy

Lois McDevitt Rev. A. Preston and Brenda Van Deursen

Michael McGovern

Judith McGovern

Jack P. Meister John Meister

Patricia M. Mentz

William Mentz

Dorothy Meszaros Kenneth and Rebecca Reigle, Jr.

Paul E. Meyers

Joyce Miller

Patricia A. Miller

Jeffrey Mogel

Donald Meyers

Jo Ann Malone

Patricia Pisarek

Sergei Szortyka

Gerald K. Myers Stephen and Kathy Kiessling

Anna K. Newcomer James and Elizabethanne Hammel

James C. Nickle

Thomas and Terry Kamerzel

Thomas and Deborah Nickle

John Notte, Jr. Houseman Lodge No. 211

Parents and Grandparents Wesley and Wendi Rittenhouse

Beatrice K. Phillips

John Phillips

Berneice Reigle Kenneth A. and Rebecca M. Reigle, Jr.

Rosemary Reo

Rose Resanovich

Rita Connolly

Marie Bowman

William and Eleanor Robeson Gary and Lori Robeson

Walter and Elisabeth Ruffer

Ronald Russo

Billie J. Savickas

Nancy Ruffer

Mary Russo

John Savickas

Walter Raymond Schmidt Thomas and Yijing Groeber

Henry S. Seitz

David B. U. Shearer

Dolores F. Shott

John Seitz

George Ullrich

Thomas Shott

Jade Douglas Simmers Douglas Simmers

C. Malcolm Smith Larry and Barbara Logero

Robert W. Smith

Walter Smith

Julia Snyder

James F. Standish, Jr.

White Rose Clown Club

Robert and Laura Burk

Bryan and Eileen Hill

Nancy Standish

Richard and Ethel Stannard Richard and Nancy Stannard, Jr.

James R. “Bob” Stewart

Charles H. Swisher, Sr.

John Tassey

Shirley B. Tate

Joan Stewart

Judy Swisher

Toni Tassey

John Tate

The Families of Treser and Fitzgerald Howard and Rose Treser, Jr.

Eileen Thompson

John C. Tondora

Harold Tonkin

Ruth Turpin

Kenneth Thomas

Kathleen Callahan

Frederick Tonkin

Larry and Kim Hanshaw

Neshaminy Chapter No. 374, O.E.S.

John and Joyce Shanahan, Jr.

Cheryl Thompson

Royden Tyger

Gregory M. Ulsh

Shelly Voll

Joel Hersh and Cynthia Tyger

Natalie Ulsh

Maureen Cornell

Carl Walz Rev. A. Preston and Brenda Van Deursen

Elizabeth A. Weamer Harriet Reiner

Joseph L. Weber

Lucille Weber

Larry Webster Dennis and Kathy Brown

Robert Wellington

C. Robert Wentz

James Whittington

Rose H. Wible

William O. Wilkins, Jr.

Herman and Florence Willis

Thelma Wellington

Carolee and Gregory Deuel

Thomas and Phyllis Cercone

Ann Harris

Donald and Sandra Kunz

Carolyn Wilkins

William Reaghard

Peter Z. Wilusz Houseman Lodge No. 211

John R. Wright George and Elizabeth Wright

Filbert Yost Toni Tassey

Archie B. Young

Joseph Zelez

Theodore Ziaylek, Jr.

Doug Zima

Bob Zima

James and Charm Young, Sr.

Edwin and Merlene Young

William and Teresa Wahlsteen

Evelyn Ziaylek

Concetta Zima

Concetta Zima

Betsy Zimmerman George Zimmerman, Jr.

Honorarium Gifts

The following honorarium gifts were made Sept. 1 - Oct. 31, 2022 Below is a list of individuals (names shown in blue) whose loved ones have made a gift in their honor to one of the five Masonic Villages.

Helen K. Bell

Paul and Donna Alpaugh

Boone Family Masons Robert and Barbara Boone, Sr.

Joey Calabro Jeffrey Kenton

Dennis and Carolyn Dendler

Naomi Evelyn

Vernon and Patricia Bright

William Evelyn

Jean Fales Lynn Clements

Jean C. Frishmuth Ronald and Katherine Frishmuth

Elizabeth Hahn

Louis Hahn

Eric Kensinger Benjamin and Jean Kensinger, Jr.

Charlene Lario Allen Snyder

Noel L. Laubenstine Noel Laubenstine

Polly Levinson Harris and Cheryl Brooks

George B. Lohr Jacob Beal Lohr

Bill McGovern Judith McGovern

Stephanye Smith

Heath and Holly Mackley

Staff on Roosevelt 2 Michael and Joan Kuhn

Deborah Valiton-Carnish Ingeborg Beidleman

A. Preston Van Deursen Ingeborg Beidleman

Paul and Shirley Weaver

William and Sandra Burns

MASONIC VILLAGES

One Masonic Drive

Elizabethtown, PA 17022-2219

OUR MISSION: To empower and inspire our Masonic Community to achieve their potential and enjoy the highest possible quality of life by being a Center of Excellence in providing person-centered residential, health care and wellness services, home and community-based services, outreach services and ancillary operations.

Masonic Village at Elizabethtown